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United States Patent |
5,606,771
|
Young
|
March 4, 1997
|
Flexible guide for a sliding door of a vehicle
Abstract
A guide mechanism for a sliding door of a vehicle includes a wedge with a
protruding blade of thickness t fastened to an edge portion of the door,
and a guide body fastened to a header of the vehicle. The vehicle header
and edge portion of the door are adjacent one another when the door is in
a closed position. First and second flexible wings are connected to the
guide body forming a pair of wings defining a slot between the first and
second wings with the wings separated a minimum distance, .delta..sub.0,
across the slot. First and second flanges respectively connected to the
first and second wings extend away from one another forming a lead-in
channel having a dimension greater than the minimum distance,
.delta..sub.0, for guiding the blade to engage the slot when the door is
in the closed position. Making the blade thickness, t, greater than the
minimum distance, .delta..sub.0, across the slot causes each of the wings
to exert pressure on the blade when the blade is positioned dead center so
that movement between the door and header can occur without breaking
contact between the wings and the blade thereby minimizing rattling and
noise.
Inventors:
|
Young; Colin J. (Dearborn, MI)
|
Assignee:
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Ford Motor Company (Dearborn, MI)
|
Appl. No.:
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414160 |
Filed:
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March 31, 1995 |
Current U.S. Class: |
16/90; 16/82; 292/341.12 |
Intern'l Class: |
A47H 015/00 |
Field of Search: |
16/90,85,82,86 A,DIG. 10,DIG. 17,DIG. 20
292/341.12,216,340,DIG. 73,DIG. 56,DIG. 39
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
1089193 | Mar., 1914 | Ervien | 292/DIG.
|
1337042 | Apr., 1920 | Cheston | 16/86.
|
1624960 | Apr., 1927 | Maise | 16/86.
|
1676599 | Jul., 1928 | Breneman | 16/86.
|
2485393 | Oct., 1949 | Locke | 16/90.
|
5125698 | Jun., 1992 | Thau | 292/341.
|
Foreign Patent Documents |
2478718 | Sep., 1981 | FR | .
|
57-147923 | Sep., 1982 | JP | .
|
388106 | ., 1931 | GB | 292/DIG.
|
Primary Examiner: Mah; Chuck Y.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: May; Roger L., Stock; Daniel M.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A guide mechanism for a sliding door of a vehicle, said vehicle having a
header, said door having an edge portion positioned adjacent said header
when said door is in a closed position, said guide mechanism comprising:
a wedge having a blade protruding therefrom;
means for fastening said wedge to said edge portion of said door;
a guide body;
means for fastening said guide body to said header;
first and second flexible wings connected to said guide body thereby
defining a slot between said first and second wings; and
first and second flanges respectively connected to said first and second
wings and extending away from one another forming a lead-in channel for
guiding said blade to engage said slot when said door is in a closed
position so that when said blade moves toward said first wing in response
to relative movement between said door and header said first wing responds
by flexing to shift center of pressure downward toward said guide body
effectively stiffening said first wing.
2. A guide mechanism, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said wings exert
pressure equally on said blade when said blade is centered in said slot
between said wings and exert pressure unequally in response to movement
between said door and header that causes the blade to move in a direction
toward said first wing and away from said second wing with said first wing
exerting greater pressure than said second wing.
3. A guide mechanism, as set forth in claim 2, wherein, when said wings
exert pressure equally on said blade, the pressures are centered about
points immediately adjacent said lead-in channel.
4. A guide mechanism, as set forth in claim 2, wherein, when said first
wing exerts pressure on said blade that pressure varies with a center of
pressure, said blade must overcome greater pressure to move an incremental
distance when said center of pressure is nearer said guide body than said
lead-in channel.
5. A guide mechanism for a sliding door of a vehicle, said vehicle having a
header, said door having an edge portion positioned adjacent said header
when said door is in a closed position, said guide mechanism comprising:
an wedge member having an axis and openings for fastening said wedge to
said edge portion of said door;
a blade having an axis and thickness, t, mounted on said wedge member with
said axes forming an angle, .alpha.;
a guide body for fastening to said header;
a first flexible wing having a bottom portion connected to said guide body,
a tip portion and a curved middle portion intermediate said tip and bottom
portions;
a second flexible wing having a bottom portion connected to said guide
body, a tip portion and a curved middle portion intermediate said tip and
bottom portions, said second wing being spaced from said first wing
thereby defining a slot therebetween, said wings being separated a minimum
distance, .delta..sub.0, across said slot at said tip portions;
a first flange extending outwardly from said first wing tip away from said
slot; and
a second flange extending outwardly from said second wing tip away from
said slot, said first and second flanges forming a lead-in channel for
guiding said blade into said slot, said lead-in channel having a width, d,
greater than said blade thickness, t, and said minimum distance,
.delta..sub.0, so that d>t>.delta..sub.0 and said wings contact said blade
and exert pressure on said blade as said blade is guided into said slot
whereby when said blade moves in a direction toward said first wing in
response to relative movement between said door and header said first wing
responds by straightening said curved middle portion to increase area of
contact with said blade and shift center of pressure downward toward said
guide body effectively stiffening said first wing.
6. A guide mechanism, as set forth in claim 5, wherein each of said wings
exerts pressure on said blade when said blade is centered in said slot
between said wings so that a small mount of movement, .delta., where
.delta.=1/2(t-.delta..sub.0), can occur between said door and header
without breaking contact between said wings and said blade.
7. A sliding door and guide mechanism for a vehicle, said door having a
header and an edge portion positioned adjacent said header when said door
is in a closed position, said sliding door and guide mechanism comprising:
an wedge member fastened to said edge portion of said door;
a blade mounted on said wedge member;
a guide body fastened to said header;
a first flexible wing having a bottom portion connected to said guide body,
a tip portion and a curved middle portion intermediate said tip and bottom
portions;
a second flexible wing having a bottom portion connected to said guide
body, a tip portion and a curved middle portion intermediate said tip and
bottom portions, said second wing being spaced from said first wing
thereby defining a slot therebetween;
a first flange extending outwardly from said first wing tip away from said
slot; and
a second flange extending outwardly from said second wing tip away from
said slot, said first and second flanges forming a lead-in channel for
guiding said blade into said slot, said wings contact said blade and exert
pressure on said blade as said blade is guided into said slot whereby when
said blade moves in a direction toward said first wing in response to
relative movement between said door and header said first wing responds by
straightening said curved middle portion to increase area of contact with
said blade and shift center of pressure downward toward said guide body
effectively stiffening said first wing.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a noise suppressing guide mechanism for a
sliding door of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is desirable to have a vehicle door that does not rattle or squeak
during normal vehicle operation. Rattling occurs because vehicle
components are not fitted perfectly but are assembled within certain
tolerances or build variations. Sliding doors typically have a two-part
guide mechanism, constructed within certain tolerances, with one part
attached to the door and the other part attached to the vehicle header. To
reduce rattling, one or both parts may be rubber coated or employ a coil
spring. While coil springs and rubber coatings do help reduce rattling,
they require more parts which increases the opportunity for noise
generation and, require additional manufacturing steps which increase
manufacturing time. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that it would be
highly desirable to have a simple device for preventing rattling of a
sliding vehicle door that does not require additional parts or
manufacturing steps.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems
set forth above. Briefly summarized, according to one aspect of the
present invention, a guide mechanism for a sliding door of a vehicle,
wherein the vehicle has a header and the door has an edge portion adjacent
the header when the door is in a closed position, comprises a wedge having
a blade of thickness t protruding therefrom and being fastened to the edge
portion of the door, and a guide body fastened to the header. First and
second flexible wings connected to the guide body form a pair of wings
defining a slot therebetween with the wings being separated a minimum
distance, .delta..sub.0, across the slot. First and second flanges
respectively connected to the first and second wings extend away from one
another forming a lead-in channel having a dimension d greater than the
blade thickness, t, and greater than the minimum distance, .delta..sub.0,
for guiding the blade to engage the slot when the door is in the closed
position.
Making the blade thickness t greater than the minimum distance,
.delta..sub.0, across the slot causes each of the wings to exert pressure
on the blade when the blade: is positioned dead center so that movement
between the door and header can occur without breaking contact between the
wings and the blade. Maintaining contact between the wings and blade
minimizes rattling and noise.
These and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of
the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and
appended claims, and by reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a preferred embodiment of an open
vehicle door and header incorporating a guide mechanism according to the
present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the wedge portion of the guide mechanism of FIG.
1.
FIG. 3 is a plan view similar to FIG. 1 but simplified to illustrate
engagement of the wedge and guide body when the door is closed.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating forces and contact between the wedge blade
and guide body resilient wing for a first amount of door displacement,
.delta..sub.1, deemed normal door fit.
FIG. 5 is a diagram similar to FIG. 4 but for a second amount of door
displacement, .delta..sub.2, with .delta..sub.2 >.delta..sub.1.
FIG. 6 is a diagram similar to FIGS. 4 and but for a third amount of door
displacement, .delta..sub.3, with .delta..sub.3 >.delta..sub.2
>.delta..sub.1.
FIG. 7 is graphical illustration of force and displacement response for the
displacement of FIG. 4.
FIG. 8 is graphical illustration of force and displacement response for the
displacement of FIG. 5.
FIG. 9 is graphical illustration of force and displacement response for the
displacement of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a vehicle, such as a cargo or passenger van 10, is
equipped with a sliding door 12 shown unlatched. The unlatched door 12
moves in the direction of the arrows for latching engagement. When closed
and latched, the top edge 14 of the door 12 is positioned adjacent the
header 16 of the vehicle 12 which functions as a frame for the door 12.
A guide mechanism 18 assists in closing the door 12, helps compensate for
manufacturing variations helps reduce peak loads input to sheet metal
components, and reduces squeaks and rattles that sometimes plague sliding
doors. The guide mechanism 18 includes a wedge member 20 attached to the
door 12 and a guide member 22 attached to the header 16. The wedge member
20 has an axis 24 extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of
the vehicle and openings for fastening the wedge member 20 to the top edge
14 of the door 14. The openings may be slotted to allow for adjustment of
the wedge member 20. A blade 26 has a longitudinal axis 28 and thickness,
t, and is mounted on the wedge member 20 with the axes 24, 28 forming an
acute angle, .alpha..
The guide member 22 includes a guide body 30 preferably with openings for
receiving screws for fastening the guide member 22 to the header 16.
Preferably, the guide body is constructed of an acetal resin and the wedge
of nylon, but either or both may be metal. When the guide body is metal it
may be attached to the header by welding or the like.
A first flexible wing 32 has a bottom portion 34 connected to the guide
body 30, a distal tip portion 36 and a curved middle portion 38
intermediate the tip and bottom portions 36, 34. A second flexible wing 40
also has a bottom portion 42 connected to the guide body 30, a distal tip
portion 44 and a curved middle portion 46 intermediate the tip and bottom
portions 46, 44. The second wing 40 is spaced from the first wing 32
forming a pair of wings defining a slot 48 therebetween. The wings are
separated a minimum distance, .delta..sub.0, across the slot 48 measured
at the tip portions 36, 44.
A first flange 50 extends outwardly from the first wing tip 36 away from
the slot 48 and a second flange 52 extends outwardly from the second wing
tip 46 away from the slot 48. By this construction the wings have a
general horseshoe or U-shape with the legs of the U curving inward toward
one another until separated by minimum distance, .delta..sub.0, but,
unlike the upturned tips of a horseshoe, the first and second flanges 50,
52 angle away from the slot 48 and from one another to form a lead-in
channel 54 for guiding the blade 26 into the slot 48. The lead-in channel
54 has a width dimension, d, greater than the blade thickness, t, and the
minimum distance, .delta..sub.0, so that d>t>.delta..sub.0. Because the
blade thickness is greater than the minimum slot distance, the wings
contact the blade and exert pressure on the blade as the blade is guided
into the slot. Each of the wings exerts pressure on the blade when the
blade is positioned dead center in the slot between the wings so that a
small amount of movement, .delta., where .delta.= 1/2(t-.delta..sub.0),
can occur between the door and header without breaking contact between the
whigs and the blade. At dead center the wings exerts equal pressure on the
blade.
Referring to FIGS. 4-6, the blade 26 moves in a direction toward the first
wing 32 in response to relative movement between the door 12 and header 16
with the first wing 32 responding by straightening the curved middle
portion 38 to increase area of contact with the blade 26 and shift center
of pressure, F, downward a distance, U, toward the guide body 30
effectively stiffening the first wing 32. FIG. 4 shows the initial center
of pressure indicated by arrow F.sub.1 at position U.sub.1, where F.sub.1
is the initial force acting in the direction of the arrow. Because
pressure is force acting on an area, the arrow for F.sub.1 indicates the
center of pressure. FIG. 5 shows the center of pressure shifted downward a
distance U.sub.2 and FIG. 6 shows pressure shifted downward a distance
U.sub.3. The center of pressure shifts as the wing deflects.
There are three distinct regions of movement as shown in FIGS. 7-9 which
depict the three .delta. regions. FIG. 7 shows the first region which is a
door fitting error adjustment region wherein
0.ltoreq..delta.<.delta..sub.1, and is the maximum door fit error,
laterally, the guide assembly is designed to accommodate. In this region
the blade contacts both wings and increases nearly linearly with wing
displacement. FIG. 8 shows the second region which is an energy absorbing
region for lateral displacements where .delta..sub.1
.ltoreq..delta.<.delta..sub.2. The guide assembly absorbs the energy of
movement at a rising rate because of the downward shift of the center of
pressure. It is anticipated that the upper limit, .delta..sub.2, would be
reached during only the most severe normal use of the vehicle. FIG. 9
shows the third region which is a constraint region wherein .delta..sub.2
.ltoreq..delta.<.delta..sub.3. In extreme loading cases the wing flexes
fully back and the loads transfer to the guide body thereby preventing the
wing from breaking. During off road use or during high speed on a rough
road, slight clicking may occur because the wedge loses contact with the
wings as the wedge moves from side to side. Such clicking will not be
noticeable because of a heightened noise level in the vehicle as a whole
during extremely rough use.
Operation of the present invention is believed to be apparent from the
foregoing description and drawings, but a few words will be added for
emphasis. The door guide mechanism is used to transfer body loads to the
door. The guide containing a slot mounts on the header and the wedge with
the raised blade mounts on the door. When the door is closed, the blade on
the wedge mates with the slot in the guide. The sides of the slot are
flexible wings that allow for a certain amount of variation in door
position. The lead-in channel helps guide the blade into the slot. As the
wings exert a slight pressure on the blade, even when the blade is dead
center, a small amount of lateral movement between the door and header is
possible (while closed) without the wings breaking contact with the blade.
Thus, constant contact between the blade and wings is maintained and
rattles are prevented.
It can now be appreciated that there has been presented a two-piece noise
reducing guide mechanism for a sliding door of a vehicle. One piece is a
wedge fastened to the door with a protruding blade for cooperating with
the second piece which is a guide body fastened to the vehicle header.
Flexible wings extending from the guide body define a slot that receives
the blade. The wings exert pressure on the blade and deflect as the blade
moves in response to rattling motion of the door relative to the header.
The pressure exerted varies directly with the magnitude of rattling motion
and varies nonlinearly for rattling motion above a certain magnitude
calculated to be encountered during normal operation of the vehicle.
While the invention has been described with particular reference to a cargo
or passenger van door, it is apparent that the guide mechanism is easily
adapted to other sliding doors to prevent rattling. As is evident from the
foregoing description, certain aspects of the invention are not limited to
the particular details of the examples illustrated, and it is therefore
contemplated that other modifications and applications will occur to those
skilled in the art. For example, while nylon and acetal are disclosed as
plastic material suitable for use in the present invention, other resinous
materials with similar relevant physical and chemical properties may be
used. It is accordingly intended that the claims shall cover all such
modifications and applications as do not depart from the true spirit and
scope of the invention.
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